(CBS DETROIT) — A Black former Whirlpool executive is suing Michigan State Police, alleging that two troopers arrested him for intoxication despite passing a series of sobriety tests during a traffic stop earlier this year in Berrian County, Michigan.
Dakarai Larriett, from Alabama, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, seeking $10 million in damages. According to the lawsuit, Larriett was charged with operating under the influence of a controlled substance, but the charge was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Michigan State Police says it has launched an internal affairs investigation but disputes the allegations.
MSP sent a statement to CBS News Detroit that reads in part, “At no time did MSP troopers attempt to plant narcotics on Mr. Larriett or in his vehicle. The term ‘stash’ referred to the trooper’s inability to locate his supply of Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) straws, which are required for administering a PBT.” MSP further said that its investigation concluded that the traffic stop was conducted in accordance with department policy and legal standards.